New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-06
IMPORTED LABOR.

MisSl0Lafy W0Ik is one thlHS lH1liiSidtiOh
another Worthy ana able mcn have con-
founded the two, and failing to see that a
life giving influence cannot go out IRON TINS
country to elevate those who walk In dark
ness in other lands, if we permit the fountain
to be poisoned by the degradation and de-
mcrazation of American life, have opposed
any restriction Of immigration, on the ground
that it is the duty of Americans to welcome
every opportunity to uplift the oppressed and
the ignorant who come to us from other lands.
Yet public opinion has been steadily crys-
tallizing in favor of some restr ction. Men
of the highest virtue and worth, men as de-
voted as any in the work of the Christian
churches, have come to see that restriction
is duty. This feeling finds expression in
the resolution adopted by the Ohio Conven-
ton, during the last week, and its reasons
should be fairly weighed. Opposition by
Eastern men to the exclusion of Chinese I'M
migration has been of no avail because 1t
has been felt that the unanimous appeal from
citizens of the Pacific States and Territories
ought not to be disregalde1 by others far
removed from the evils and dangers they dc
pict. But now the question concerns KIND
Of immigration much sought by managers OF
some corporations, who want to get tho
cheapest labor they can, and do not care for
the final influence upon the social, civil or
moral condition of the country. In their
behalf the argument will be urged that, il
we permit the free immigration of Hungarian
or Italian labor, even the most ignorant. the
uplifting influence Of Christian civil ization
will be brought to bear upon men and women
no could not otherwise be reached
Some years ago great strike occurred in
he Conne,lsvilc coke region, and employers,
determined to get cheaper and less indie
PENDENT labor, imported AN army OF Hun
garians. Tho world knows what troubles
have followed, what st lies and violence,
what cruelty and injustice on one side, and
what dishonor to the cause of labor on the
other Exactly the same thing has been dOne
by other corporations, in other lfclties, and
settlements of workers from Hungary or Italy
or other lands, as far removed As pc slble
in condition and character from the level Of
Amer can citizenship. have been formed about
many mines mills and workshops 1t is the
lesson Of experience that these immigrants,
brought in mainly under contracts TO labor,
and always for the purpose of laborng at
can citizens, do not form a valuable addition
TO the population. They work for wages
which make it impossible for them to live as
The citizens of a self governing Republic need
to live. They learn nothing Of our laws OF
institutions. They are powerfully influenced
by Anarchists and S, calsts, but not vis'bly
influenced at all by the Christian civilization
about them, to which they hold the attitude
Of enemies, nor by the spirit OF this free r.
public which they do not comprehend.
Civilization helps q man when it begins by
opening TO him higher possibilities OF life.
Give him the mears to live dccently, to en-
Joy the comfort of home, TO mingle with
neighbors and feow-workmcn who live and
think as free citizens should live and think,
and then the work Of elevation will begin
But when so-called civilization brings
man here to make brute OF him, and de
prive, him of means of living dccenty. or
associating with free citizens, or educating
himself or his children, that is another mat
ter. The uplifting process does not begin.
Tho Chrstianizing of people whom Chris
tan civilization condemns to exist as beasts is
not possible and the gatherings Of such labor
become plague spots in our society. TO MS
they do incalculablc hahn; TO them we do
no appreciablc good.